Nellie sat up. “How can I forget,” she said stiffly. “It is the main subject of conversation among the staff, Lilly tells me. I daresay, there is much to be done to prepare for it.”
“Nellie.” He frowned. “I thought we were done with this. What’s the matter?”
“I just hope your aunt doesn’t upset your mother.”
“Why should she? Aunt Frances will be engaged with the hunt. Only thing that concerns me is that even though the younger dogs have been trained, there are some as yet untested because we haven’t had a fox hunt here for some time.” He rested his head on his hand and surveyed her, drawing a wisp of her hair back behind her ear. “You needn’t fear my aunt will ask you to take part. I don’t anticipate it, but if she does, you must refuse. You have ample reason for it now, and even if you didn’t, I would never expect you to.”
Charles threw back the blankets and stalked naked to where his dressing gown was thrown over the chair. Nellie studied his splendid body regretfully. The mood was spoiled. Aunt Frances was sure to cause some kind of fuss. It was in the woman’s nature. She did not know Nellie was pregnant, but that would make little difference to her even if she did.
“I must write to my mother about the baby. Shall we tell your mother together?”
“Yes, I should like that.”
As she moved to leave the bed, a wave of nausea rolled over her. Nellie fell back and moaned.
*
Alarmed, Charles swiveled.Shrugging on his dressing gown, he strode over to the bed. “Nellie, what is it?”
Nellie was pale and distressed on the pillows.
“Marian told me to expect this. It’s something we suffer in the mornings. It will pass shortly. Send a footman for Lilly and ask her to bring me a weak cup of tea and a biscuit, please, Charles.”
“I’ll ring. I don’t want to leave you.”
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “You men. Jason is just as bad. You must not treat me like delicate bone china, Charles. I won’t have it. It’s a natural state, and I’m a healthy woman. I intend to live a normal life.”
He had wanted children. A son and heir, and a daughter or two, but now the danger facing Nellie came home to him with force. Women died in childbirth.
When Lilly brought the tea, Charles arranged the pillows behind her.
The tea brought some color back to her face. “I feel much better, darling. I won’t have you fussing over me. After breakfast, shall we go and see your mother? Then you must do what you planned to do today. And I shall take your mother outside into the garden. It looks like a beautiful day.”
Charles took a deep breath. “Very well, sweetheart, I’ll spend a couple of hours with Barlow, then visit one of my tenants who could use a hand fixing his leaking roof. I’ll be back around two.”
“Come back before your aunt arrives, please?”
He laughed. “You will manage my aunt. Better than I can, I suspect.”
It was hard to remain too worried while riding Thor across the green paddocks, the sun warming his back. Especially finding his mother so pleased with their news. Charles pushed back his hat and grinned. “I’m going to be a father, Thor!”
Thor whinnied, sidled, and broke into a canter.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The coach bearingLady Dickenson, Charles’s Aunt Frances, pulled in just after luncheon. Charles had not yet returned to the house. With a faint heart, Nellie stood on the porch to greet her, watching as she gave orders to the footmen and grooms, and sent them scurrying off in all directions.
“Take those to the stables,” she said, gesturing to the saddles and riding equipment she’d brought with her. “I want that saddle well-polished before the hunt.” She turned to Nellie. “How are you, Cornelia? You look in the pink of health, I must say.”
“I am well, thank you. I hope you had a pleasant journey?”
“Does one ever?” She gestured to her groom. “Barker? Have that trunk taken around to the servants’ stairs. They will tell you where they have put me. Where has my maid got to? The servants’ hall? Someone find her. I must change.” She turned back to Nellie. “I trust I am in the blue chamber?”
“Yes, the blue, your usual bedchamber.” Nellie was relieved that she’d been forewarned by Catherine. “Grove will see to anything else you might require.” Nellie felt the need to assert herself as mistress of the house. “I’ll arrange for tea after you’ve changed.”
“Where is my nephew?”
“Charles has gone to assist a tenant with his leaky roof.”
